We gather together this weekend to celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. This day formerly known as Corpus Christi is an ancient feast in our church, celebrating the gift of God’s nourishment and His sacramental presence in our midst. 
   My own memories of this feast when I was growing up, had to do with processions with the monstrance, a sacred umbrella highlighting “guest of honor” of the day, and much incense and bell ringing and always on a Thursday.
   Today our celebrations are much more subdued and downsized. The importance of this central part of our faith however has not diminished. We continue to be nourished and blessed through our participation in this sacrament. And this weekend we give thanks to God for this gift.
   We also give thanks this weekend for all our Fathers, living and deceased, on this Father’s Day. God chose that image of a father as the initial way He revealed Himself to us in the Old Testament. He is the Father who provided for His people, who gave them direction and leadership, and watched over them. In much the same way this is why we appreciate our own fathers. May God bless them all for how they give of themselves to their families.
   Finally, this is the last weekend Fr. Peter will be with us this year. I can’t believe a whole month has gone by since his arrival in May. As usual he was a pleasant presence in the rectory as well as the parish.  He was particularly helpful to me as I continue my long recovery from hip surgery. Thanks Fr. Peter for all your help and I look forward to your return next spring! I do expect another SMA (African) priest to arrive July 1 for a couple of months. I have not however received any word on who he is but will pass that along as soon as I do.